Interesting 1773 Description of Kilt

[KiltedSurveyor]

A quick internet search revealed that camblet was a fabric originally made of camel hair, but at this time and place had evolved into a fabric that was a combination of wool and silk fibers, with possibly some goat hair(think angora) in the mix. Interesting that it was purple. Was it a solid color, or just the predominate one in the tartan? From the quote, it sounds to me like it was solid.

[toadinakilt]

So perhaps some sort of purple tweed-ish kilt? Sounds good to me...

[artificer]

So perhaps some sort of purple tweed-ish kilt? Sounds good to me...

That's be my guess from the description.

Great find, Bugbear!

[macwilkin]

On 2 October 1773, Boswell records this:

We were very social and merry in his room this forenoon. In the evening the company danced as usual. We performed, with much activity, a dance which, I suppose, the emigration from Sky[e] has occasioned. They call it ‘America’. Each of the couples, after the common involutions and evolutions, successively whirls round in a circle, till all are in motion; and the dance seems intended to shew how emigration catches, till a whole neighbourhood is set afloat.

-- http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/bosw...html#section48

Nothing really to do with kilts, but a very poignant story regarding immigration...

T.